When I Whine...

I can't begin to count how many times I heard my dad quote this poem. I think it was his favorite. Thanks to Mark Posey at Pulpit Preview for sharing this this week (contact Mark to subscribe at: posey@austinvillecoc.org). I can hear his crisp, clear voice - overflowing with compassion reciting this one...

Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair; I envied
her -- she seemed so happy, and how, I wished I were so fair;
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle;
she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile. Oh
God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet -- the world is
mine.
And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me
had such charm; he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was
so kind and warm; I said, "It's nice to deal with you, such courtesy
I seldom find"; he turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir." And then I
saw that he was blind. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have
two eyes, the world is mine.
Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of
blue; he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not
what to do; I stopped a moment, then I said, "Why don't you join
the others, dear?" He looked ahead without a word, and then I
knew he could not hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have
two ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go; with eyes to see the sunsets
glow, with ears to hear what I would know. I am blessed indeed.
The world is mine; oh, God, forgive me when I whine.